Homes in Saleen, Ballingeary, Fairhill, and Courtmacsherry from €225k

Clockwise from left: 8 Inniscarra Road, Fairhill; 41 Woodview Lawn, Saleen; Árd Na Sráide, Ballingeary; 5 Pier View Apartments, Courtmacsherry

A smart and move-in-ready home in Saleen

Saleen, East Cork
€325,000
Size	111 sqm (1,195 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	C

The efforts of two sets of owners have transformed No 41 Woodview Lawn, at Saleen near Midleton, into a smart home with strong first-time-buyer appeal.

When the current occupants of the 2000s-built property bought it six years ago, the three-bed, semi-detached bungalow had already been given a makeover. The layout had been reworked, stylish sash-style windows installed, and a new living room, with a beamed-and-vaulted ceiling, was added on.

Since then, the owners have replaced the flooring, put in contemporary internal doors and radiators, upgraded the wardrobes, and refurbished the bathroom and the en suite. “It’s a delightful property, which would make an ideal starter home,” says Kyle Kennedy, of Kennedy Estate Agents, who prices it at €325,000.

The open-plan main room has a living area at one side and a kitchen/dining space at the other. To the rear, there’s a living room with a stove, while the property also has an upgraded bathroom and three bedrooms, including one that is en suite. Overlooking a central green area at the front, the house has a parking area and a good-sized rear lawn. Located 5km from Midleton, Woodview Lawn is close to Saleen primary school and is within a 15-minute drive of beaches at Inch and Guileen.

VERDICT: A well-presented, single-storey home.

A four-bed home in West Cork for €225k

Ballingeary, Co Cork
€225,000
Size	157 sq m (1,690sq ft)
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2
BER	G

Spacious as well as characterful, this four-bed detached house at Árd Na Sráide in Ballingeary village is sizable for €225,000.

“It has old-world charm, some original features, and a little history,” says John O’Mahony, of OM2 auctioneers. It was the first block-built house in Ballingeary, in 1934. “It later became a village shop, but then went back to being a family home,” he adds.

Accommodation in the spacious, 157 sq m property includes two reception rooms with original timber-panelled ceilings — one with an ornate, carved timber fireplace and one with a tiled one. In addition, there’s a dining room with a Stanley range, a ground-floor bathroom, and a small kitchen in a single-storey section that may have been a later addition.

A mahogany staircase leads to the upper floor, which has four carpeted bedrooms and a bathroom with a yellow suite that very likely dates to the 1970s.

While the property has attractive original features and charm, it has a G BER rating and is in need of modernisation and an energy upgrade. On-street at the front, it has a gravelled garden area at one side that is used for parking and for sitting out.

Ard na Sraide is a quiet roadway off the main street in Ballingeary. “The location is perfect for those seeking a peaceful village lifestyle. It’s close to all local amenities and is within a 20-minute drive from Macroom and a 35-minute one from Killarney,” says Mr O’Mahony, who describes Ballingeary is one of West Cork’s most picturesque Gaeltacht villages.

VERDICT: Needs work, but has space, character, and potential.

€275k two-bed home in Fairhill

Fairhill, Cork city
€275,000
Size	65 sq m (700 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	D

Proximity to the Apple HQ in Hollyhill could be a selling point for this two-bed semi at 8 Inniscarra Road in Fairhill. So says Michael Downey, of ERA Downey McCarthy, selling agent for the 1960s-built house, which has been upgraded and modernised.

“We are getting good interest from first-time buyers and offers have already gone above the €275,000 guide,” he notes.

A 65sq m property, it has a living room, a kitchen/diner, a bathroom, and two bedrooms, including an en suite.

VERDICT: Affordable and well renovated.

Three-bed Courtmacsherry apartment for €265k

Courtmacsherry, Co Cork
€265,000
Size	80 sq m (861 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	D

A buyer looking to live or holiday in the seaside village of Courtmacsherry could be interested in this three-bed property at 5 Pier View Apartments.

“It’s conveniently located close to the seafront and within strolling distance of all amenities,” says Frank O’Driscoll, of Hodnett Forde, explaining that the ground-floor property is part of a six-unit 1990s apartment complex located off Sea Road. Situated at the back of the development, it has a living/dining/kitchen space and three bedrooms (two en suite).

VERDICT: The coastal location makes it attractive to a variety of buyers.